Jazz violinist Regina Carter’s new project continues her exploration of her roots. I’ll Be Seeing You (2006) included her mother’s favorite jazz standards; Reverse Thread (2010) returned to the storytelling traditions of West Africa. This year’s Southern Comfort investigates the music her paternal grandfather would have heard as an Alabama coal miner. Carter researched songs from the era and transcribed about 50 tunes—mostly just unaccompanied melodies—from field recordings. Such research is often left to collect dust in the halls of academia. Fortunately, Carter’s considerable talent and seemingly boundless energy have made it available to all. She was very recently named “Violinist of the Year” in the 18th annual Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards for Music and Recording; projects such as Carter’s not only broaden the jazz repertoire but also more accurately reflect an authentic communal experience: the search for where we came from. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., 441-9729, jazzalley.com. 7:30 p.m. (Also 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 7:30 p.m. Sun.) $24.50. MFB

In an effort to make its music more universal, Canadian indie-rock quartet Tokyo Police Club packed its fourth album, Forcefield, with anthemic choruses, bright synths, and toe-tapping percussion. “Hot Tonight,” for example, with its peppy, ’80s-tinged guitar riffs and “ooh, ooh, ooh”s, could pass for a Free Energy tune. Forcefield is TPC at its most accessible, both lyrically and musically. With Geographer, Said the Whale. Neumos. 8 p.m. SOLD OUT. All ages. ACP

The problem—both troubling and sublime—with Canadian thrash band Anvil is that it hasn’t aged since its 1981 debut, Hard ’n’ Heavy. Yes, the band might have influenced Metallica and enjoyed a renaissance thanks to the rock doc Anvil! The Story of Anvil, but there’s no escaping the charming mediocrity of its 15th album, Hope in Hell. But that’s why we love them, right? With Jesus Wears Armani, Above Ground, Skeletor, Arisen From Nothing. Studio Seven, 110 S. Horton St., 286-1312, studioseven.us. 7 p.m. $13 adv./$15 DOS. 21 and over. DJL

After listening to What We Do, the newest release from Portland-based indie-folk pop group The Shook Twins, it looks like the third time’s the charm. Their first two releases—2008’s You Can Have the Rest and 2011’s Window—were largely exploratory as the band’s eponymous twins, Laurie and Katelyn, dipped their toes into everything from hip-hop to folk and included beat-boxing and playing a large golden egg (you read that right) as part of the musical experience. What We Do is a whole different animal. The twins’ often-whimsical vibe (they once wrote a song about robot love) has been replaced by deeply introspective, soul-searching lyrics about life on the road, love, loss, and living in the moment. Their vocal harmonies are as siren-like as ever, and the moods are augmented richly by their Americana-, folk-, pop-, and country-tinged compositions. You will be hard-pressed not to fall in love with this album. With Steve Poltz. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599, tractortavern.com. 9 p.m. $12. 21 and over. BRIAN PALMER

Brent Amaker’s 50th Birthday Party To listeners familiar with Amaker’s special brand of psychedelic country noir, it may come as a surprise that the cosmic cowboy has gone digital. His new project, Android Amaker, “is a collaborative effort between Vox Mod, P Smoov, and myself,” he says. The group just dropped its first single via iTunes—a krautrocking track called “I’m the One—and plans to release “a full-length concept album on vinyl this summer.” Amaker assures, however, that “The Rodeo will always be my primary project.” Tonight, as he celebrates “the big one” with friends, you’re sure to get a little taste of it all. With Brent Amaker and The Rodeo, the Comettes, DJ Greg Vandy. The Triple Door. 8 p.m. DJ set by Vox Mod in the Musicquarium 11 p.m. $15. GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT

Bleeding Rainbow is so ’90s that even its name pays homage to LeVar Burton’s beloved PBS children’s program. Formed in 2009, the group’s airy vocals and guitar fuzz nevertheless harken back to the Clinton era. Geordi La Forge should be proud. With Wimps, So Pitted. The Vera Project, 305 Harrison St., 956-8372, theveraproject.org. 7:30 p.m. $8. All ages. DH

From the Jackson 5 to Menudo and Boyz II Men to ’N SYNC, every generation has a boy band: a group whose sugary-sweet tunes top the charts and whose good looks steal hearts. Today, The Wanted is that boy band. The English/Irish quintet first charmed listeners with its 2011 single “Glad You Came,” and hasn’t stopped. With Cassio Monroe, Midnight Red. Showbox SoDo. 8 p.m. $29.50 adv./$35 DOS. All ages. ACP

Sunday, April 27

Video Games Live Since 2005, event creator/video-game composer Tommy Tallarico has combined live music and special guest composers with video footage, synchronized lighting, live action, and interactive segments to take audience members on a trip through the history of video games through music, which includes classics like Pong and Tetris and current favorites like Halo and BioShock. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 682-1414, stgpresents.org/paramount. 7:30 p.m. $25.25–$65.25. All ages. ACP